Question:
I would like to use our attached garage as a shop during our cold Wisconsin
winters and its currently uninhabitable even when its only in the 30s
outside. I can't imagine how its going to
feel in there when its gets to be subzero.
Two walls are already insulated while the (third) one that is below
ground level is not. I believe the ceiling is insulated but can't tell for
sure because its been drywalled. There is already heat plumbed into the
garage (we have a boiler heat system). So before I pop for a new $750
insulated garage door, I wanted to see if this is likely to help
*considerably* in keeping the garage warm. It's a 390 series from the
Overhead Door Company and has an R value of 9.83.
All feedback appreciated.
Answer:
-My garage is also my shop. While I live in Houston, and the temp does not
often get below 30 degrees, my garage is considerably more comfy with the
new Wayne Dalton insulated door that I had installed last November. It has
about an R-10 rating also. The advantages to the insulated door is that it
is also very close to air tight, if this is possible with a garage door.
Gone are the drafts. The door remains cool during the winter but not cold.
As a bonus of the door being "tight", the door is very quiet when it is
windy outside. I would surely recommend a good quality insulated door. Mine
is 3 paneled. The two outer and inner steel skins and the foam filled
core. Mine was about $600.00.
-Garage doors are what I do.
You will notice a real big difference with this style of door...but shop
around. The garage door market is very competitive. Without knowing the
size of the door or installation particulars it's tough to say if you're
getting a fair price.
Most all manufactures offer a door with stats similar to the OH 390 (2"
double steel insulated). At the upper end, there is the Wayne Dalton 8500
series. What I like about this door is the way the sections fit together.
Rather than a simple T&G there are several "fingers" that interlock when the
door closes. There is also a rubber seal incorporated into this joint. The
Carriage House (CHI) 2280 series door is very similar to the one you are
considering, but normally available at a lower cost. The good thing about
all of these doors is how "air-tight" they are. You will loose most of your
heat around the perimeter of the door. The sides and top of the door casing
should be trimmed with a high quality vinyl stop molding. If your apron is
cracked or uneven, doors can be fitted with a more bulky bottom seal.
Before the installer leaves, close the door and turn out the lights. (Keep
your distance...garage door guys can get a little freaky :~o ) Look for
daylight coming in from around the door. Keep him there until everything is
sealed to your liking.
BTW, garage door R values are a lot like Craftsman horsepower ratings.
Now about that ceiling...I would be poking a hole to check for insulation.
